The effect of spraying maize weekly with a 0.5 M concentration of Cd was studied in Hungary at two water supply levels. Cd reduced the size of the leaf area and the annual water loss. The intensity of evapotranspiration (mm water/unit leaf area) of the polluted crops grew. The higher net radiation of polluted maize resulted in an increase in sensible heat and a warmer canopy. The warmer the canopy, the higher the stress level of the contaminated crops was. While Cd caused a 28% significant decline in plant dry matter production in the rainfed plots, only a declining tendency amounting to a few percent was recorded in the ET treatment.Cd of atmospheric origin was only detected in the leaves; it was not accumulated in the grain. It was concluded from the results that the yield losses in grain maize grown on Cd-polluted areas could be mitigated by irrigation. The production of silage maize, however, is not recommended in regions affected by Cd pollution, especially in areas where irrigation is required, since supplementary water supplies promote the accumulation of Cd in the vegetative organs.